Case Study: Actelion Pharmaceuticals achieves high employee engagement and retention with O.C. Tanner recognition solutions

Actelion Pharmaceuticals - Customer Case Study

Actelion Pharmaceuticals U.S., a $1.8B biopharmaceutical firm, made HR a core competency to attract and retain highly energized, innovative staff facing the high-risk realities of drug development. Their challenge was embedding core values, building resiliency after setbacks, and keeping employees engaged and motivated as the company scaled. DHL Express faced a separate challenge after exiting the U.S. domestic market in 2008: reengaging remaining employees, rebuilding trust, and aligning everyone around a new international-focused mission.

Both companies partnered with O.C. Tanner to redesign recognition and learning: Actelion used experiential learning, frequent symbolic rewards, onboarding recognition, peer/manager e-thanks and biannual galas to reinforce desired behaviors; DHL tied recognition to Certified International Specialist training with pins, e-cards and meaningful ceremonies. The programs drove strong results — Actelion achieved over 90% engagement, industry “best places to work” recognition and low turnover; DHL saw higher engagement and leadership scores, reduced turnover, rising recognition activity and improved revenue performance.

Actelion Pharmaceuticals

Rob Etherington

Senior Vice President